BMW "replaced a gearbox" although never actually replaced it
Discussion
I bought a 2002 car through the BMW approved used scheme in 2007 and the gearbox was stiff engaging 5th gear. After some persuasion to get this fixed and involving BMW UK, the garage agreed to fit a new gearbox. The problem was still present and after the area technical manager inspecting the car he advised that all cars were like this and nothing more could be done. I let it rest.
The gearbox has now failed and wont engage any gear much to my surprise after 22000 miles since a new one was put in. My mechanic advises he's very sure that this is the same gearbox that the car was sold with and that it wasn't fitted new.
I'm going to pursue the garage and if I have to then BMW UK for the cost of repairing the gearbox
Anyone had a similar experience? I presume I've got a pretty good case here for them covering the cost of repair?
The gearbox has now failed and wont engage any gear much to my surprise after 22000 miles since a new one was put in. My mechanic advises he's very sure that this is the same gearbox that the car was sold with and that it wasn't fitted new.
I'm going to pursue the garage and if I have to then BMW UK for the cost of repairing the gearbox
Anyone had a similar experience? I presume I've got a pretty good case here for them covering the cost of repair?
True, but if a gearbox failed after 22k from new would you accept it? If the gearbox was replaced with a new one it should last more than that. My 306 is on the original box and has done 124k. Hundreds of cars with more will be on the original. I'm sure the gear box will be stamped with a serial number or something which should prove if its new or not?
If you can prove, without a doubt, that the gearbox wasn't replaced then go for it.
If you can only go on the word of your mechanic that thinks it's probably the original then don't waste your time. All you will be relying on is a goodwill jesture which on a 10 year old car, is unlikely.
If you can only go on the word of your mechanic that thinks it's probably the original then don't waste your time. All you will be relying on is a goodwill jesture which on a 10 year old car, is unlikely.
Sure - after 5 years it could fail and that's fine, but the mechanic who inspected it has advised that he's certain it's the original gearbox and it was never replaced with a new one. Gearboxes have serial numbers and I'm assuming if this is the case then it could be proven perhaps by a BMW garage inspecting it and advising.
If they claimed to replace the gearbox to resolve a problem engaging gears and the gearbox was charged to BMW UK but never replaced by the garage as I was told it had been, do you guys think I've little hope with this? It's now failed to engage any gear which is a more advanced symptom of the problem that occurred under warranty and why they "replaced" the gearbox originally
If they claimed to replace the gearbox to resolve a problem engaging gears and the gearbox was charged to BMW UK but never replaced by the garage as I was told it had been, do you guys think I've little hope with this? It's now failed to engage any gear which is a more advanced symptom of the problem that occurred under warranty and why they "replaced" the gearbox originally
Edited by CIS121 on Thursday 4th October 17:17
MissChief said:
True, but if a gearbox failed after 22k from new would you accept it?
At six years old, yes I would. Unless there's a way to conclusively prove that it's the original gearbox (would BMW record the serial number of the gearbox fitted to the car from new?) I don't see that the OP can do anything. Might be worth contacting BMW and telling them that you think one of their dealers might be making fraudulent warranty charges without doing the work.
I had an Audi A4 quattro which blew its 2nd gear synchro after 5000 miles - I'd run it in hard but still....
SO audi rebuilt the box (note they REBUILT it) 7,000 miles later it blew again, so they fitted a whole NEW gearbox - I off loaded the car at 48000 miles with no more gearbox problems.
If its a manual box you can open the casing and slide all the shafts out, work on the problem and bung it back in the box, if its auto its a little harder but still possible.
I suspect your gearbox was repaired ( which is a perfctly normal thing to do BTW), either way you're out of warranty (?) and no matter how many times they repair a fualt as soon as you leave warranty it becomes a matter of goodwill from the dealer or BMW UK at their discretion no definites...
SO audi rebuilt the box (note they REBUILT it) 7,000 miles later it blew again, so they fitted a whole NEW gearbox - I off loaded the car at 48000 miles with no more gearbox problems.
If its a manual box you can open the casing and slide all the shafts out, work on the problem and bung it back in the box, if its auto its a little harder but still possible.
I suspect your gearbox was repaired ( which is a perfctly normal thing to do BTW), either way you're out of warranty (?) and no matter how many times they repair a fualt as soon as you leave warranty it becomes a matter of goodwill from the dealer or BMW UK at their discretion no definites...
GoneAnon said:
Do gearboxes have serial numbers? I've never seen one, it isn't shown on the V5 like the engine and chassis numbers, and there wasn't a space for one on the forms when I registered my car?
Without a serial number I see no way to prove if the box was ever changed.
Yes it almost certainly will have one to allow the manufacturer to trace faulty batches etc. Without a serial number I see no way to prove if the box was ever changed.
hyperblue said:
GoneAnon said:
Do gearboxes have serial numbers? I've never seen one, it isn't shown on the V5 like the engine and chassis numbers, and there wasn't a space for one on the forms when I registered my car?
Without a serial number I see no way to prove if the box was ever changed.
Yes it almost certainly will have one to allow the manufacturer to trace faulty batches etc. Without a serial number I see no way to prove if the box was ever changed.
I'd bet 90% of the car has a batch number at very least for traceability
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